Hi all! Need some advice on my 2yr old male. He loves to make a break for it when he gets a chance he's off running. He'll mind 90% of the time but just when you least expect it and he sees his opportunity he's gone! I've heard some people say not to chase him cause then he thinks it's a game but I live about 1/4 mile from a busy street, he's already run across it twice. He always runs the same way so I thought maybe he is just being nosey, I've started walking my two boys the way he runs when I take them to see if that curbs his noseyness but so far hasn't seemed to work. Any other ideas to curb this habit of his? When I finally get within about 5ft of him he'll listen to me, I don't ever discipline him when I get to him cause I don't want him afraid of me when I catch him. How can I teach him this is bad? Is this something he'll out grow? (hopefully)
Help! I've got a runner.
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ljnash
Boxer Insane
Your right about not chasing him, he'll think it's a game. What I've been told is to make yourself more interesting than anything else around. You will have to get some treats that he loves like no other!!! Mine love bits of cheese. And work with him on the come command using these treats. Start off with come on lead at a short distance, then gradually increase the distance. When he becomes totally reliable on lead, then start working off lead. It will take a lot of work and patience.
You are also right about not punishing him when he comes to you. You want it to be pleasurable for him to come to you, not punishment!! Even though you are irritated and scared with him for running away, always praise when he comes to you.
I live on a busy street, too, and it can be very frightening when they make a break for it, but fortunately, my two will come back now if I ignore them and not chase them.
You are also right about not punishing him when he comes to you. You want it to be pleasurable for him to come to you, not punishment!! Even though you are irritated and scared with him for running away, always praise when he comes to you.
I live on a busy street, too, and it can be very frightening when they make a break for it, but fortunately, my two will come back now if I ignore them and not chase them.
FarleyBoxer
BANNED
Simple solution: Never let him off lead when he's not contained in a fence! I agree with Lenore, work on your recall and then if an emergency ever happens he will come back, but in the meantime just don't give him the opportunity to run away. 
I don't try and let him anywhere without his leash on, he just has a knack for sneaking by me once in a while or if someone new comes to the door. When you say a lead, what exactly do you mean? Are those the leashes that are about 30' long? Thanks for both the thoughts, I need to get some new treats in the house as it is.
ljnash
Boxer Insane
The lead can be any length, shorter to start out. If you have a 20-30 ft. cord of some kind that you can tie securely to his collar, that would work, too. I have used a cord, not a leash, in the past. Just something to tug on, so he will know you want him to come to you from a distance.
Good luck! I know what you mean about him sneaking out when the door is open. I've been working with Samantha & Beau on door manners. When I go to the door, I have them sit about 3-4 ft. away from the door, so they don't crowd me at the door. So far, it's working! Now, it's a different story when a person is on the other side of the door--they get too excited. We're still working on that!
Good luck! I know what you mean about him sneaking out when the door is open. I've been working with Samantha & Beau on door manners. When I go to the door, I have them sit about 3-4 ft. away from the door, so they don't crowd me at the door. So far, it's working! Now, it's a different story when a person is on the other side of the door--they get too excited. We're still working on that!
Roxies Pops
Boxer Pal
i have found that when roxie runs off i call her and sometimes she will just stop and wait for me to come get her, but then others she just looks at me like yeah whatever, but when she stays or comes back i praise her for it when she continues i yel her name as if she is real trouble witha real firm voice then she know well if i go any further im getting in trouble and she will turn and come right back like okay dad im a good girl huh.
natrhymer
Boxer Booster
I would agree with all the other posts about getting 100% recall and making yourself more interesting than anything else out there (treats!). Both are difficult with our smart and playful boxers, and take a lot of training time (at least they do for us, and recall is still only about 50%). The only other thing I would add is that if he's sneaking out the door, train him on "wait" or "stay" at the door. Our boy is not allowed out of the house unless we say "OK." We can leave the door open, say while taking in the groceries, and he sits and waits until he is released. We practice every day, when we go out for potty, walks, whatever -- he always has to sit at the door until we say "OK." We've had him for just under two years now and he's pretty reliable, but, if we're not vigilant, he'll sense this and take advantage -- we had to put some stuff out on our porch the other morning for a charity pick-up, and, at 6 a.m., I walked out the door without making sure Dieter was in a sit/stay, and he snuck out right behind me!
Good luck, be patient and keep enforcing those rules!
Good luck, be patient and keep enforcing those rules!
mochasmommy
Boxer Pal
I totally can feel your frustration! My almost 2 year old male, Mocha, did the same thing on Friday morning as I was trying to leave. Normally I watch him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't get out, but this particular day I was a little to trustworthy and I learned my lesson. I had to run back in the house for a split second to grab something of the table, but it was long enough for him to jet out of the garage and into the street and other people's yards. I grabbed some treats that he likes, but he was intent on playing a game. He ran to the next street over, and I was become scared to death, so I chased him. Not to mention that due to the HMA my neighborhood is very strict about dogs without leashes on. Anyway, eventually he would come close to get the treat but grab at it real fast, and continue running around like a true maniac. Eventually after continously calling him to come (something that is currently a work in progress) and no response I was feeling at a loss. Then I light bulb went off in my head, although he doesnt always come, he always sits. So i said, "Mocha sit" and he sat as if he were a perfect angel (or so he thinks). He let me grab ahold of him and we continued our journey home. While these experiences can be so frustrating, I think that I realize how intelligent and silly of a boy he really is~ which is why I love him! (Even if I don't always love what he does!)
They think they're sooo cute!
I've done the same thing about making him sit. He may not stay if I get close but he'll sure sit when I get close. Then he thinks he's all that! I can laugh about this now, but last time he got away I was about a 1/2 mile from my house and carrying him like a baby when this guy pulls up and rolls his window down. I thought he would offer me a ride but Nooooooooo, he says "you know it's a lot easier if you use a leash to walk them" then he pulls away! Yeah, everyone's a comedian. Didn't find it so amuzing at the time but it cracks me up now!
I've done the same thing about making him sit. He may not stay if I get close but he'll sure sit when I get close. Then he thinks he's all that! I can laugh about this now, but last time he got away I was about a 1/2 mile from my house and carrying him like a baby when this guy pulls up and rolls his window down. I thought he would offer me a ride but Nooooooooo, he says "you know it's a lot easier if you use a leash to walk them" then he pulls away! Yeah, everyone's a comedian. Didn't find it so amuzing at the time but it cracks me up now!
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